April 15, 2021

AVMA member

AVMA honor roll member 

Nonmember

Student

Laura L. Bloomfield

Dr. Bloomfield (Missouri ’98), 48, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Aug. 22, 2020. She practiced small animal medicine at Animal Care Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Dr. Bloomfield is survived by her parents and her sister. Memorials to the American Cancer Society or Friendship Cemetery Association may be sent c/o Payne Funeral Chapel, 202 E. Madison St., Memphis, MO 63555.

Donald F. Buckley

Dr. Buckley (Cornell ’49), 93, Winchester, Virginia, died Nov. 24, 2020. A small animal veterinarian, he owned South Salem Animal Hospital in South Salem, New York, for 22 years prior to retirement in 1984. Earlier in his career, Dr. Buckley practiced in Newburgh, New York; served in the Air Force during the Korean War; and worked in Buffalo, New York. An accomplished potter, he was a past president of the Shenandoah Potters Guild. Dr. Buckley’s four sons, two daughters, 10 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren survive him. Memorials may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork St. #405, Winchester, VA 22601.

James E. Christy

Dr. Christy (Oklahoma State ’54), 89, Riesel, Texas, died Dec. 2, 2020. He served as a government veterinarian prior to retirement. In retirement, Dr. Christy raised Bantam chickens. He was also active with the Riesel Lions Club for a period of time. Dr. Christy is survived by his daughter, two sons, seven grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren.

Alvin C. Dufour

Dr. Dufour (Michigan State ’46), 94, Elkhart, Indiana, died Oct. 9, 2020. He owned Dufour Veterinary Hospital, a small animal practice in Elkhart, from 1956 until 2005. Earlier in his career, Dr. Dufour practiced large animal medicine in Indiana’s LaGrange County and served as base veterinarian with the rank of captain in the Air Force. He was a past president of the Michiana VMA and a member of the Indiana VMA.

An avid painter, Dr. Dufour was a past president of the Elkhart Art League. His paintings have been featured in the Midwest Museum of Art Juried Show and in several homes in Elkhart. Dr. Dufour’s wife, Sue Ann; a daughter and two sons; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren survive him. Memorials may be made to the Elkhart County Humane Society, 54687 CR 19 Bristol, IN 46507, or the Elkhart Art League, 131 Tyler St., Elkhart, IN 46516.

John B. Gratzek

Dr. Gratzek (Minnesota ’56), 89, Athens, Georgia, died Nov. 22, 2020. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists, he was a professor and a former head of the Department of Medical Microbiology at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, retiring as a professor emeritus in 1993.

Following graduation and after earning his master’s and his doctorate in veterinary microbiology from the University of Wisconsin, Dr. Gratzek began his academic career as an associate professor of veterinary microbiology at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

In 1966, he joined the veterinary faculty at the University of Georgia. Dr. Gratzek worked closely with aquariums and the catfish industry to investigate fish diseases and husbandry issues. He helped integrate the study of fish diseases into veterinary medicine by coordinating workshops, presenting seminars, and authoring several publications and books on the subject. A past president of the International Association of Aquatic Animal Medicine, Dr. Gratzek was awarded honorary life membership for his contributions. In 1993, the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council honored him with the Gold Circle Award for his dedication to the aquarium industry and for his contributions in the area of fish research.

Dr. Gratzek’s wife, Kathleen; two sons and two daughters; and seven grandchildren survive him. A daughter, Dr. Ann Gratzek (Georgia ’87), is a veterinary ophthalmologist in California, and a daughter-in-law, Dr. Megan Gratzek (Cornell ’89), is a general practitioner in Minnesota. Memorials may be made to the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, 501 D.W. Brooks Drive, Athens, GA 30602.

Marc A. Hall

Dr. Hall (Purdue ’71), 73, Windermere, Florida, died Sept. 26, 2020. From 1976 until retirement in 2015, he owned Ocoee Animal Hospital, a small animal practice in Ocoee, Florida. Earlier in his career, Dr. Hall worked in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and in Cincinnati. He was a past president of the Central Florida VMA. Dr. Hall’s wife, Denise; three children; and three grandchildren survive him. Memorials may be made to St. Andrew Catholic Church, 801 N. Hastings St., Orlando, FL 32808.

William A. Harrison

Dr. Harrison (Texas A&M ’68), 77, Stuart, Florida, died Jan. 4, 2021. Following graduation, he served in the Army Veterinary Corps. During that time, he helped set up a microbiology laboratory in Vietnam. Dr. Harrison subsequently practiced companion animal medicine in El Paso, Texas. He later went to medical school at the Autonomous University of Ciudad Juárez in Mexico; completed his degree via the Yale Affiliated Hospitals Program in Bridgeport, Connecticut; and did a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Temple, Texas. Dr. Harrison then practiced for most of his medical career in Albuquerque, New Mexico, prior to retirement. He is survived by his wife, Virginia; a son and a daughter; and three grandchildren. Memorials, with the memo line of the check notated “Honoring William Harrison,” may be made to Boys and Girls Club of the Brazos Valley, P.O. Box 524, Bryan, TX 77806.

Merritt K. Hole

Dr. Hole (Purdue ’74), 70, Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, died Nov. 23, 2020. He was a mixed animal veterinarian. Dr. Hole’s wife, Sharon; a daughter and a son; and a brother and a sister survive him. Memorials may be made to Garlow Literature East Asia Ministry, which ships new and used fundamental Christian literature for free to pastors in Asia, India, Africa, and the Pacific islands, and sent to 25 Gaul Road, Sinking Spring, PA 19608.

Robert C. Hummel

Dr. Hummel (Ohio State ’61), 83, Fort Collins, Colorado, died Oct. 27, 2020. Following graduation, he joined American Cyanamid Co. as a technical sales veterinarian. In 1967, Dr. Hummel co-founded Great Plains Chemical Co. Inc. in Greeley, Colorado. The company was subsequently known as Lextron Inc. and later became Animal Health International Inc. Dr. Hummel served as chief executive officer and chairman of AHI for several years until his retirement in 2015.

Active with his alma mater, he helped establish the Graduate Minor in Business in Health Sciences at The Ohio State University as a partnership between the College of Business and College of Veterinary Medicine, supporting the program via two scholarship endowments. Dr. Hummel also provided financial support to the university’s William Oxley Thompson Memorial Library and funded scholarships for dental hygiene students. He served as co-chair of the veterinary college’s But for Ohio State fundraising campaign, helping to enhance and expand the Veterinary Medical Center. The ProVet Dr. and Mrs. R.C. Carole Hummel Grand Lounge and the Hummel & Trueman Hospital for Companion Animals were named in recognition of his and his family’s efforts and contributions.

Dr. Hummel served on The Ohio State University Foundation Board and was honored as a lifetime member. He received The Ohio State University’s Gerlach Award in 2007 and Distinguished Service Award in 2015 and was named a Distinguished Alumnus of the College of Veterinary Medicine in 2017. In 2020, Dr. Hummel was honored with the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame Industry Leadership Award.

He is survived by his wife, Carole; a son and a daughter; four grandchildren and three step-grandchildren; and a sister. Memorials, toward a scholarship for veterinary students in Dr. Hummel’s honor, may be made to The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, c/o Liesa Stone, 127G VMAB, 1900 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210.

Robert B. Jensen Jr.

Dr. Jensen (Oklahoma State ’75), 76, Kailua, Hawaii, died Dec. 8, 2020. He practiced companion animal medicine in Kailua, including avian and exotic animal medicine. Dr. Jensen was a past president of the Honolulu Veterinary Society and a past vice president of the Hawaii VMA. He served in the Army during the Vietnam War. Dr. Jensen’s wife, Joyce; a son and two daughters; five grandchildren; and a sister survive him.

Joseph E. Kelley

Dr. Kelley (Wisconsin ’89), 59, Prairie Du Sac, Wisconsin, died Nov. 8, 2020. In 1992, he took over Sauk Prairie Small Animal Hospital, a practice founded by his father, Dr. Dale Kelley (Iowa State ’51), in Prairie Du Sac. Dr. Kelley is survived by his wife, Jodi; two daughters; his mother; and two sisters and a brother. Memorials may be made to World Vets International Aid for Animals, 9711 Moller Drive NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332, or The ALS Association, Development Department, 1275 K St. NW, Suite 250, Washington, DC 20005.

Kevin R. Kimber

Dr. Kimber (Cornell ’01), 52, Lakeville, Minnesota, died Oct. 1, 2020. During his career, he practiced companion and exotic animal medicine and taught at community colleges in New York state, also serving as a relief veterinarian. Dr. Kimber is survived by his wife, Amy; a son, a daughter, and four stepchildren; his parents; and two brothers. Memorials may be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1919 University Ave. W., Suite 400, St. Paul, MN 55104.

Richard W. Kohlschreiber

Dr. Kohlschreiber (Kansas State ’57), 87, San Pedro, California, died Sept. 26, 2020. He practiced mixed animal medicine at Rolling Hills Animal Hospital in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, prior to retirement in 1992. An avid gardener, Dr. Kohlschreiber was named Volunteer of the Year in 2002 by the county of Los Angeles for his work at the South Coast Botanic Garden. He served in the Army from 1958-60, attaining the rank of captain. Dr. Kohlschreiber is survived by his family.

James B. McKinnon

Dr. McKinnon (Colorado State ’70), 78, Tremonton, Utah, died Nov. 18, 2020. Following graduation, he moved to Tremonton, where he established Bear River Animal Hospital, serving northern and southern Utah and parts of Wyoming. Dr. McKinnon was a past president of the Utah VMA and served on the board of directors of the Western Veterinary Conference. Active with the Utah Cattlemen’s Association, he chaired its Animal Health Committee for more than 25 years. Dr. McKinnon was a member of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, National Cattlemen’s Association, and American Association of Equine Practitioners.

He received several honors, including the Utah Cattlemen’s Association’s Friend of the Cattlemen Award, Rancher of the Year Award, and Cattleman of the Year Award. Dr. McKinnon is survived by his wife, ReNee; a daughter; his grandchildren; and a brother. Memorials may be made to the Dr. J. Brent & ReNee McKinnon Scholarship Endowment, Utah State University, 1590 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322.

John J. Melancon

Dr. Melancon (Minnesota ’68), 77, St. Cloud, Minnesota, died Oct. 30, 2020. Following graduation, he owned a practice in Sauk Center, Minnesota, for several years. Dr. Melancon later worked in veterinary pharmaceuticals, retiring from Merck-Merial in 2003. He was a diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists. Dr. Melancon’s wife, Nancy Gilbert; five children; seven grandchildren; and three siblings survive him.

Garth A. Murray

Dr. Murray (Cornell ’54), 90, Buffalo, New York, died Oct. 19, 2020. He owned a farm animal practice in New York’s Steuben County until retirement in 2005. Active with the New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs, Dr. Murray served as manager of the Steuben County Fair for several years. He was a member of the Steuben County Farm Bureau, Elks Club, and Masonic Lodge. Dr. Murray was a veteran of the Air Force. His two sisters and a brother survive him. Memorials, toward the Irene B. Murray Memorial Fund, may be made to the North Burke Presbyterian Church, Burke, NY 12917.

Dennis C. Nyren

Dr. Nyren (Iowa State ’72), 73, Omaha, Nebraska, died Nov. 12, 2020. Following graduation, he practiced in Connecticut for three years. In 1975, Dr. Nyren moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he co-owned what was known as Roningen-Nyren Animal Hospital. He later practiced at We Care Animal Hospital in Clintonville, Wisconsin, until retirement in 2018. Dr. Nyren is survived by a son, a daughter, three grandchildren, his mother, and two sisters. Memorials toward cancer research may be made to Bellin Hospital, 744 S. Webster Ave., Green Bay, WI 54301.

Herman J. Rehder Jr.

Dr. Rehder (Ohio State ’57), 90, Grove City, Ohio, died Oct. 14, 2020. He practiced small animal medicine in Cincinnati for 43 years prior to retirement. Dr. Rehder is survived by a sister and a brother.

Tristan C. Roy

Roy (Kansas State ’24), 25, Manhattan, Kansas, died Oct. 25, 2020. He was a first-year student at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. While in high school, Roy represented the United States in a wrestling tournament in Australia, winning a gold medal for the team. For his undergraduate studies, he attended the University of Florida, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences. He was a presidential member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and a member of the Free Masons, achieving master Mason status. Roy is survived by his parents and two brothers. Memorials, toward the Tristan Memorial Fund, may be made to Kansas State University Foundation, 1800 Kimball Ave. #200, Manhattan, KS 66502.

Gus W. Salbador Jr.

Dr. Salbador (Texas A&M ’58), 91, Mount Vernon, Washington, died Nov. 28, 2020. Following graduation, he worked in Montana, California, Nevada, and Texas. During his late 50s, Dr. Salbador changed career paths, earning a master’s in divinity in 1990 from the University of Saskatchewan. He then served as a medical missionary in Honduras for six years. During that time, Dr. Salbador also trained in hyperbaric oxygen therapy and worked as a private pilot. He subsequently returned to the United States and served as an Episcopal priest in Wyoming.

Dr. Salbador was a veteran of the Navy. His daughter, son, five grandchildren, and a sister survive him. Memorials may be made to Amani for Africa USA Foundation, 100 N. 27th St., Suite 305, Billings, MT 59101, or to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, P.O. Box 742030, Los Angeles, CA 90074.